Top 5 things to do in Dublin, Ireland – the best tourist attractions that should not be missed!
If you are visiting the beautiful country of Ireland, you will likely spend some time in its capital city, Dublin. Located on the east coast of Ireland, it is separated into two parts by the River Liffey. With its old European city charms, there are many things to see and do in Dublin.
Top 5 Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland
Dublin has plenty to offer, from history and religion to activities, attractions, art, museums, and, of course, the pubs! There is something for every person to explore in Dublin.
1. Go On a Tour of the Guinness Factory and Jameson Distillery
Pubs are a big part of Irish culture and lifestyle. You can hardly walk down a street without running across a pub in Dublin! And Guinness is the biggest stout brewery in the world. When visiting Dublin, touring the Guinness Factory is one of the top tourist attractions and things to do for a reason.
The building that houses the Guinness Storehouse dates back to 1904 and is a living showcase of Dublin’s history. The tour itself is one of my absolute favorites in Ireland; in fact, I must have gone a dozen times while living in Dublin because I took every person that visited me!
The Guinness tour teaches you how the beer is brewed, walks you through the history of Dublin and how influential Guinness was in driving the economy, showcases some fun Guinness artifacts and advertisements, and ends with a complimentary pint of perfectly poured beer in the Gravity Bar that has 360° views of Dublin.
If you are more into whiskey than beer or simply want to continue the experience, then the Jameson Distillery tour (right across the river from the Guinness Storehouse) is also a must!
The Jameson tour includes a 40-minute guided tour of the making of Jameson whiskey and its history, plus a comparative whiskey tasting and a complimentary Jameson drink.
Tickets for the Guinness Factory tour are €22 (additional add-ons available). Tickets for the Jameson Distillery tour are €25 for adults / €19 for students and 65+
2. Visit Dublin’s Most Famous Churches
Ireland has a very rich and turbulent religious history that is very important to today’s culture. One of the best things to do in Ireland to learn more about religious history is to visit Dublin’s most famous churches: Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the biggest church in Ireland and one of the oldest. Built in Dublin in 1191 in the Gothic architecture style, it has an interior with high arches and beautiful stained glass windows and is a magnificent church to view.
The Cathedral is world-famous for its choir – the oldest choir school in Ireland that still performs. Plus, you could take a picnic and sit on St. Patrick’s Park that surrounds the cathedral – and if you go in the spring, the gardens will be in bloom!
I actually preferred touring Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The crypt is especially fascinating, with tombs of important religious figures, historical Irish religious artifacts, and a treasury.
Most European churches have a gorgeous exterior, and Christ Church Cathedral is no exception. Plus, visitors can take a walk through the labyrinth to pray, meditate, and take some time for peace and reflection.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral self-guided tours cost €8 for adults and €7 for students and children.
Christ Church Cathedral self-guided tour and audio guide costs €10 for adults, €8.50 for seniors/students, and €3.50 for children under 12.
3. Go On a Dublin Pub Crawl and Stop at the Temple Bar
There are so many unique pubs in Dublin (in fact – Dublin has over 700 pubs!) that the best way to get a taste of pub culture is to do a Dublin pub crawl.
You can do a pub crawl in Dublin either as part of a tour (there are literary pub crawl tours, historic pub crawls, traditional Irish music pub crawls, etc.) or pick your own pubs and create your own route.
The most famous pub in Dublin is The Temple Bar Pub. Located right in the heart of the city center, this should be a pub you either start or stop at. The whole area around the Temple Bar pub is also called Temple Bar (it gets a bit confusing at first!) and is full of pubs and live Irish music.
You could spend your whole time pub-hopping around Temple Bar, however it is a pretty touristy spot and I recommend getting out of this area to try some of Dublin’s other amazing pubs.
A few of my other favorite pubs in Dublin are:
- Doyle’s Pub – A lesser-known pub in the city center that is nice for food and drink during the day and turns into more of a dance pub at night.
- The Camden Pub – A sports pub with large screens, this is a great pub if you happen to be visiting Dublin while a game is being played.
- Brazen Head – Known for being the oldest pub in Ireland, this one is great to check off the bucket list! If you can, visit on a sunny day because it has a lovely outdoor area.
If you are not sure where to begin, I recommend starting at The Temple Bar Pub to get a taste of what tourists like, then wander down Camden Street and stop at any interesting pubs along the way to get a taste of what Dublin locals enjoy.
Make sure to try a pint of Guinness, maybe an Irish coffee or Baileys, or a Rock Shandy if you don’t drink but still want the experience (it’s a non-alcoholic Irish drink with sparkling orange and lemon).
4. View the Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin
Another highly popular thing to do in Dublin is viewing the Book of Kells, which is located on Trinity College Dublin’s campus.
The Book of Kells is an ancient manuscript with words and illustrations of the four Gospels. It is believed to have been created around the year 800AD and produced by the monks in a monastery off the coast of Scotland. The book is entirely hand-drawn with painstakingly beautiful details.
Plus, the Book of Kells tour includes a tour of the Old Library, a gorgeous library built in 1732. Scholars continue to consult the volumes of books that it houses. This 65-meter-long library is one of the most famous and most beautiful libraries in the world.
Tickets to the Book of Kells cost €18 for adults. There is a FREE audio tour of the Book of Kells, and Old Library included, available on your mobile device.
Don’t forget to take a quick stroll around the Trinity College Dublin campus while you are there. It is Ireland’s highest-ranking college and has a gorgeous campus with beautiful arched doorways, Doric columns, and the iconic bell tower (just be sure not to walk under it – legend has it that’s bad luck!)
5. Have a Picnic at Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is Dublin’s most famous park and one of the largest enclosed public parks in any capital city in Europe (even bigger than Central Park in New York!). It was originally formed as a royal hunting Park in the 1660s and opened to the public in 1747.
The park is a great place to stop for a picnic and a stroll. There is a pack of deer that still wanders through and can often be seen during your visit to Phoenix Park.
There are a few sites to see and things to do throughout the park, a few of the most popular being:
- The Dublin Zoo
- The Magazine Fort – a fort used in the 1600-1800s
- The Phoenix Monument
- The Wellington Testimonial – the tallest obelisk in Europe at over 62 meters tall
- The People’s Gardens
- The Ashtown Castle and Gardens
BONUS: Visit Howth – Dublin’s Scenic Coastal Village
If you have extra time in Dublin, it is worth getting out of the city to see some of the surrounding areas. One of my favorite coastal towns just outside of Dublin is Howth, an adorable fishing village.
You can view the medieval Howth Castle and Grounds, stop at the market to shop for handmade Irish local goods, or go for a walk or hike. There are many scenic hiking trails with views of the cliffs, Lambay Island, and the Baily Lighthouse. Or simply stroll down by the pier and watch the fishing boats.
Howth has some delicious seafood! Try out a pub such as The Abbey Tavern, The Pier House, or The Bloody Stream for great food and pints, as well as frequent live music and dancing.
Howth is easily accessible from Dublin by a short ride on the DART (about €6 each way and 25-30 minutes) or on Dublin Bus 31 (about €5-6 round trip and 35 minutes).
Those are the top 5 not to miss things to do while visiting Dublin, Ireland! There is so much rich history, culture, and unique attractions to visit across Ireland, especially within the city of Dublin. It’s hard to see it all in a short time, but these five attractions will give you the best taste of one of my favorite cities in the world!
About the author of “Top 5 Things To Do In Dublin”
After traveling to over 25 countries and living in Dublin, Janelle created Make the Trip Matter – a travel blog dedicated to helping budget travelers and remote professionals travel more, live abroad, and get a more meaningful experience from their travels.
Thanks for stopping by!
You may also enjoy: Top 5 Unusual Things To Do In Paris.
Magda
xoxo
If you enjoyed this post featuring the best things to do in Dublin, Ireland, please pin it on Pinterest to help it reach more readers!
***PIN IT***